Greek
Theatre
at Warwick

Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex

30-31 January 2020

sophocles oedipus rex performance

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Performance

Production

Following the success of the 2018 and 2019 Ancient drama festivals, in January 2020 the Warwick Classics Department and Classics Society presented Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex, translated by Ian Johnston and directed by Max Stapleton.

Set in 1928, this musical production gives the famous play a city-noir twist. The arrogant West, fuelled by its industry, courses towards the Great Depression, themes reflected in Oedipus’ relationship with his own fate. Oedipus, King of Thebes, searches for the murderer of his predecessor, Laius. His city has become diseased and impoverished, destined to remain as such until the killer is revealed. The investigation draws Oedipus towards a prophecy he has always dreaded. As the day darkens, fate begins to spiral out of his control.

Gallery

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A young man dressed in a black jacket and tie stands in a brightly lit dressing room with mirrors and lightbulbs along the top. Behind him, open wardrobes with empty hangers are visible. The setting is part of a production of Sophocles' Oedipus Rex by the University of Warwick Ancient Drama department.
A young man sits on a chair in a dressing room, wearing a black jacket and white shirt, with his hands clasped in front of him. The background features mirrors, scattered belongings, and a table with water bottles and a camera. A police helmet with a badge rests on the table to the right. The setting is part of a production of Sophocles' Oedipus Rex by the University of Warwick Ancient Drama department.
A man in a black suit and bow tie stands holding the hands of two young girls in black dresses in the production of Sophocles' Oedipus Rex by the University of Warwick Ancient Drama department.
Four actors stand in a backstage hallway with metallic pipes on the ceiling. One man in a gray vest and cap speaks animatedly to the group, which includes a woman in a white shirt with suspenders and two men wearing aprons. The setting conveys a casual moment of discussion during the production of Sophocles' Oedipus Rex by the University of Warwick Ancient Drama department.

Lectures

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Supporting the performance, the Department offered a series of lectures, discussions and seminars for school students and general audiences. These included:

The myth of Oedipus: textual, visual and material representations

A performance analysis of Sophocles’ Oedipus King

The historical context of Oedipus King

Pre-performance platform discussion on ‘Oedipus King’ with Professor Oliver Taplin and Dr Emmanuela Bakola

Introduction to Ancient Theatre

Essays

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Get in touch

If you would like to reach out to know more about this production, the Warwick Ancient Drama Festival, or the Department of Classics and Ancient History at the University of Warwick, please feel free to contact Dr Emmanuela Bakola at [email protected]

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Department of Classics and Ancient History, Humanities Building, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL